Reichenstein Castle

Reichenstein Castle in Trechtingshausen perches on a rocky spur just above the Rhine and is one of the most photogenic castles in the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rebuilt around 1900 as a neo-Gothic residence, it now houses a family-friendly castle museum with armor and weapons, plus a hotel and restaurant. It is an easy stop on a Rhine castle tour between Bingen and Bacharach.

Where it is and how to get there

Trechtingshausen lies on the west bank of the Rhine, a few miles downstream from Bingen. From Frankfurt it is roughly an hour by car, and Frankfurt Airport is the nearest major airport. By rail, take a regional train toward Mainz or Koblenz and get off at Trechtingshausen station, which is served hourly by the MittelrheinBahn. From the village, a walk uphill brings you to the castle. Regional trains are covered by the Deutschlandticket.

A short history

The castle is first documented in 1213. In 1282, King Rudolf of Habsburg besieged and destroyed it and banned its reconstruction, though it was later rebuilt by the Electorate of Mainz. Abandoned from the 16th century, it was blown up in 1689. The industrialist Nikolaus von Kirsch-Puricelli turned the ruin into a neo-Gothic home between 1899 and 1902, making Reichenstein the last castle in the valley to be revived in the spirit of Rhine Romanticism. A descendant of the family has owned it since 2014.

Things to see

• Collections of armor, weapons and hunting trophies
• Ornate cast-iron fireback plates from the family's ironworks
• Rooms furnished with original pieces from the owners' family
• Gardens and terraces with sweeping views over the Rhine

A bilingual audio guide in German and English is included with admission, a rarity in the region.

Tickets and opening hours

As of October 2026, the museum is open daily: 9 am to 6 pm from April to October and 9 am to 5 pm from November to March, with last entry one hour before closing. Tickets cost €12 for adults and teens 14 and up, €6 for children aged 5 to 13, and kids under 5 enter free. The museum is not wheelchair accessible, and dogs are not allowed inside.

Is it worth visiting?

Yes, especially with kids or if you want a castle with an English audio guide. Plan one to two hours, and pair it with neighboring Rheinstein Castle or a Rhine cruise for a full day trip from Frankfurt or Mainz.